In
this podcast, Ruth provides a summary of surgical considerations
when managing an injured spine patient. She covers imaging
considerations, indications for surgery and challenges to
delivering excellent surgical care.
Ruth shares a story of one of the most
severely injured patients she has ever looked after. A 78 year old
woman came into a trauma centre having been driven over by a 4WD...
twice.
She had a fractured lower limb,
significant chest trauma, a significantly deformed torso, she could
not feel or move her legs (other than wiggle her toes slightly) and
she had tyre marks on her torso...
When looking at her injuries, it was
clear that she had a significant group of chest injuries. This is
an important reminder that spine trauma happens in the context of
multi trauma. This subsequently impacts every step of the care
process including surgical planning and management.
The objective from the outset is to
try and get patients like this to theatre as quickly as possible
but there are surgical considerations to take in to
account.
Tune in to an incredible story as Ruth
shares that the key to success is simple things done well, done
consistently and in a team environment.